Capital: Augusta
Largest City: Portland
Abbreviation: ME
Joined the Union: March 15, 1820
Nickname: The Pine Tree State

Affectionately known as “Vacationland”, Maine’s cragged coast and inland mountains are popular spots with summer travelers looking for a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the rest of New England. Lighthouses dot the state’s dramatic rocky shores, and moose roam the endless forests of pine. It’s America’s most rural state, dominated by uninhabited woods that make for some of the best recreation in the lower 48, which allows for hunting and hiking, as well as ideal dark sky observation.

Areas to Explore

ACADIA

AUGUSTA

BANGOR

PORTLAND

Other Places to Visit

Lubec

Built in 1858, the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse marks the easternmost point of the continental United States. Just outside the town of Lubec, which is the easternmost town in the country, the light station is painted with iconic red and white stripes and sits at the entrance to the Quoddy Narrows that separates Maine from New Brunswick. While the actual easternmost accessible point is on some treacherous rocks nearby, the lighthouse is still a popular destination for visitors and offers occasional tours. Elsewhere in Lubec is the Lost Fisherman’s Memorial, a large granite sculpture dedicated to the men and women who’ve never come home from working the waters.